Read 2 Samuel 24.1-9
In 24.1-9: David's census.
In verse 1: Again implies that this story is the sequel to an earlier one, perhaps 21.1-14.
This same story is found in 1 Chr 21, where v. 1 says that Satan rather than the Lord incited David.
A census provided the basis for conscription and taxation.
The fact that a plague ensued suggests that some ritual taboo was broken.
In verse 2: From Dan to Beer-sheba were the traditional northern and southern boundaries of Israel.
In verse 9: The count is limited to men of military age.
The Hebrew word translated thousand may refer to a much smaller military unit.
Israel and Judah are numbered separately because Judah was exempted from taxation.
Comments or Questions..
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Reading for June 14th
Read 2 Samuel 23.19-39
In verse 20: Benaiah was the commander of David's bodyguard and later of the army under Solomon.
In verse 24: It is strange to find Ashel in this list since he seems to be a young warrior aspiring to greatness at the time of his death (2.18-23).
Elhanan killed Goliath (21.19).
In verse 30: This is a different Benaiah from the one in vv. 20-23.
In verse 39: Uriah was Bathsheba's husband (ch. 11).
It is uncertain how the count of thirty-seven is achieved.
The addition of the "Three" plus Abishai and Benaiah brings the number to thirty-five.
Joab may have been counted as a member of this elite group, though his name is not specifically mentioned.
The list in vv. 24-39 has thirty names in it.
But there are textual variations where an additional name may have been read.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 20: Benaiah was the commander of David's bodyguard and later of the army under Solomon.
In verse 24: It is strange to find Ashel in this list since he seems to be a young warrior aspiring to greatness at the time of his death (2.18-23).
Elhanan killed Goliath (21.19).
In verse 30: This is a different Benaiah from the one in vv. 20-23.
In verse 39: Uriah was Bathsheba's husband (ch. 11).
It is uncertain how the count of thirty-seven is achieved.
The addition of the "Three" plus Abishai and Benaiah brings the number to thirty-five.
Joab may have been counted as a member of this elite group, though his name is not specifically mentioned.
The list in vv. 24-39 has thirty names in it.
But there are textual variations where an additional name may have been read.
Comments or Questions..
Friday, June 5, 2020
Reading for June 13th
Read 2 Samuel 23.8-18
In 23.8-39: David's heroes.
In verses 8-12: Nothing more is known about the three greatest warriors in David's army besides what is reported here.
In verses 13-17: The story in these verses is not about the three warriors just listed but about three anonymous members of the honor guard of the thirty.
At the beginning of the harvest (v. 13) the weather was hot and dry, which is why David became thirsty.
the stronghold (v. 14) was the fortress at Adullam.
Since a garrison of Philistines was then at Bethlehem, this must have been early in David's reign.
Bethlehem was David's hometown, which accounts for his fond remembrance of the water there.
In verses 16-17: Pouring out the water was a way of honoring the three men.
Water is often poured out as a libation or sacrifice to God.
Comments or Questions.
In 23.8-39: David's heroes.
In verses 8-12: Nothing more is known about the three greatest warriors in David's army besides what is reported here.
In verses 13-17: The story in these verses is not about the three warriors just listed but about three anonymous members of the honor guard of the thirty.
At the beginning of the harvest (v. 13) the weather was hot and dry, which is why David became thirsty.
the stronghold (v. 14) was the fortress at Adullam.
Since a garrison of Philistines was then at Bethlehem, this must have been early in David's reign.
Bethlehem was David's hometown, which accounts for his fond remembrance of the water there.
In verses 16-17: Pouring out the water was a way of honoring the three men.
Water is often poured out as a libation or sacrifice to God.
Comments or Questions.
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Reading for June 12th
Read 2 Samuel 23.1-7
In 23.1-7: The last words of David.
This is another poem attributed to David.
Its date is uncertain.
In verses 3-4: The image of the king as the sun was common in the ancient Near East, especially in Egypt, though it was less common in Israel.
In verse 5: The house of the king is his dynasty.
The everlasting covenant refers to the Lord's promise of an eternal dynasty for David in 2 Sam 7.
In verses 6-7: These verses continue the image of vv. 3-4.
The godless are like thorns consumed by the sun's heat.
Comments or Questions..
In 23.1-7: The last words of David.
This is another poem attributed to David.
Its date is uncertain.
In verses 3-4: The image of the king as the sun was common in the ancient Near East, especially in Egypt, though it was less common in Israel.
In verse 5: The house of the king is his dynasty.
The everlasting covenant refers to the Lord's promise of an eternal dynasty for David in 2 Sam 7.
In verses 6-7: These verses continue the image of vv. 3-4.
The godless are like thorns consumed by the sun's heat.
Comments or Questions..
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Reading for June 11th
Read 2 Samuel 22.44-51
In verse 51: Steadfast love can also mean loyalty.
Anointed was a title for the king; it is the word messiah.
The reference to David and his descendants, if original to the psalm, would indicate that it comes from royal circles in Judah.
Comments or Questions...
In verse 51: Steadfast love can also mean loyalty.
Anointed was a title for the king; it is the word messiah.
The reference to David and his descendants, if original to the psalm, would indicate that it comes from royal circles in Judah.
Comments or Questions...
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Reading for June 10th
Read 2 Samuel 22.17-43
In verse 32: This is a monotheistic claim; the Lord (Yahweh) alone if God.
In verse 33-37: The Lord equips the psalmist for battle.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 32: This is a monotheistic claim; the Lord (Yahweh) alone if God.
In verse 33-37: The Lord equips the psalmist for battle.
Comments or Questions..
Monday, June 1, 2020
Reading for June 9th
Read 2 Samuel 22.8-16
In verse 8: The Lord's appearance is accompanied by an earthquake.
In verse 9: The Lord is pictured here as a fire-breathing dragon.
In verses 11-16: The Lord is depicted here as the storm God.
A cherub (v. 11) was a mythical, griffin-like creature.
God's voice (v. 14) is thunder, and he throws lightning bolts at his enemies (v. 15).
The psalmist envisions the world as flat and is trapped in the underworld beneath the foundations of the world, which the Lord's roar uncovers (v. 16).
Comments or Questions..
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